Watervliet Criminal Defense Attorney
Watervliet is a small city in northeastern Berrien County on M-140, near I-94 and the Paw Paw Lake area, close to the Van Buren County line. I am Shawn Haff, and I defend people charged with crimes throughout Watervliet and Berrien County. If you have been arrested, or you know you are under investigation, talk to a defense lawyer before you talk to anyone else. The call is free and I am available 24/7 at 616-438-6719.
Where Your Watervliet Case Will Be Heard
Berrien County runs its courts as a single Berrien County Trial Court — the 2nd Circuit and 5th District Courts under one administration — with two courthouses: St. Joseph, at 811 Port St, and Niles, at 1205 N Front St. Which one hears a criminal case is set by the court's own administrative order and turns on where the offense is charged as having happened, not where you live. Watervliet cases go to the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St. The city lies entirely in Berrien County, but the surrounding area reaches toward Van Buren County, where an incident would be prosecuted in Paw Paw instead — worth confirming if the stop was outside the city.
Knowing the building is the easy part. What matters is knowing how that particular bench handles a first offense, which prosecutor has room to negotiate, and what the local diversion options actually are — see my 5th District Court page for how these cases run.
The Charges I See Most in Watervliet
Watervliet has its own city police department, with the Berrien County Sheriff and state troopers covering the township and the interstate. Most cases start on M-140 or I-94: OWI and license stops, drug charges found in a vehicle, and the alcohol-related cases that come with summer traffic to the lakes nearby.
- OWI and drunk driving on M-140 and I-94
- Driving on a suspended license
- Drug possession, including methamphetamine cases
- Domestic violence and assault
- Minor in possession
- Theft and retail fraud
What Is Actually at Stake
Driving while license suspended is the charge that snowballs. Each new conviction can extend the suspension, and a suspension that started with unpaid tickets can end with jail exposure and a revoked license. The way out is usually to deal with the underlying suspension and the new charge together, so the license can actually be restored.
What to Do Next
Request your driving record from the Secretary of State before your first court date, or let me do it. Knowing exactly why and since when your license was suspended is the starting point for getting both the case and the license resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a Watervliet case heard?
At the St. Joseph Courthouse, 811 Port St, one of the two courthouses of the Berrien County Trial Court. An incident across the county line in Van Buren County would instead be handled in Paw Paw.
I was charged with driving on a suspended license. Can I get my license back?
Often, yes — but it usually means resolving the reason for the original suspension as well as the new charge. Many suspensions stem from unpaid tickets or missed court dates, which can be cleared. Revocations after OWI convictions require a formal license restoration hearing.
Does Watervliet have its own police department?
Yes. The Watervliet City Police Department serves the city, while the Berrien County Sheriff and the Michigan State Police patrol the surrounding township and I-94.
Talk to a Watervliet Defense Lawyer Today
A criminal charge moves fast, and the first days matter most. Call me directly at 616-438-6719 for a free, confidential consultation — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.